A state corrections officer was one of two people charged with drug offenses during a traffic stop by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit on Friday.

Uniququae Arthur, 26, of Fleta Street in Washington, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver ecstasy, a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Arthur is employed as a corrections officer at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Maury. She was arrested along with Reginald Wilkinson, 30, of Keyesville Road in Washington.

BCSO investigators were conducting surveillance in a high-traffic drug area in Washington on Friday when they allegedly witnessed Wilkinson conduct a drug deal from a car registered to Arthur, who was riding in the passenger seat. According to a BCSO press release, Wilkinson was known to the Sheriff’s Office for prior drug activity.

According to the release, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana and searched the vehicle, which turned up three ecstasy pills, two oxycodone pills and digital scales from the center console. A plastic bag containing marijuana was found in Wilkinson’s pocket and approximately 10 grams of cocaine were found hidden in Arthur’s pants, the release stated.

“She was a passenger in the car, they conducted a drug transaction while she’s in the car, and then when we go to stop them after that, she’s got the cocaine hidden on her,” said BCSO Drug Unit Lt. Russell Davenport. “I’m pretty sure it belonged to him, but he got her to hide it.”

Wilkinson was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver ecstasy, a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of oxycodone, a schedule III controlled substance, selling and delivering marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to N.C. Department of Public Safety Communications Officer John Bull, Arthur was hired by DPS in September 2018 and was still in the midst of a standard probationary period for new state employees. Bull said Arthur was still employed by DPS as of Tuesday afternoon, and that the department reviews allegations of illegal activities by employees.

“The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has zero tolerance for any staff involvement in any illegal activity, and the Department is cooperating fully with local law enforcement,” Bull wrote in an email. “Any staff who participates in illegal activity will be subjected to appropriate personnel action, including dismissal.”

Wilkinson and Arthur were both confined in the Beaufort County Detention

Center. Wilkinson’s bond was set at $20,000, while Arthur’s was set at $5,000.